Materials joining specialist, the TWI, claims it has made significant advances in welding technology. Friction stir welding has been used to join two aluminium plates 75 mm (three inches) thick in a single operation.

The equipment used to produce the welds are due to be moved to the institute’s new facility in Yorkshire, where the machine’s capability will be extended by the addition of a second welding head located directly underneath the existing head, making it possible to weld components from two sides simultaneously. With current knowledge, this would enable single pass welds of material 150 mm thick, the institute said.

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